The pressure on teenagers to appear “perfect” can lead to an obsession with appearance and ultimately make them afraid to eat. This invisible danger threatens both mental and physical health.

According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), among patients treated for anorexia nervosa, a type of eating disorder, in 2024, adolescents aged 10 to 19 accounted for nearly half. By gender, there were 2,525 male patients and 11,885 female patients, meaning girls were 4.7 times more likely to be affected than boys.

Eating disorders are mental health conditions involving abnormal eating behaviors. They may be suspected when body weight is below 80 percent of the standard weight or when the body mass index (BMI) is 17 or less. Typical eating disorders include anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa involves extreme food restriction leading to rapid weight loss. In contrast, bulimia nervosa involves repeated binge eating followed by purging through vomiting or misuse of laxatives and diuretics, placing significant strain on the body.

Adolescence is a period of major physical and psychological changes. Several factors—including appearance obsession, peer pressure, and the influence of social and mass media—raise the risk of eating disorders. Early detection and management are crucial because eating disorders are not merely dietary issues but are closely tied to mental health conditions such as low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.

“Eating disorders extend beyond food intake issues and are deeply connected to adolescent mental health. Without early treatment, they can increase the risk of depression, anxiety disorders, and in severe cases, even suicide,” said Professor Kim Su-jin of the Department of Psychiatry at Korea University Anam Hospital. “It is crucial for adolescents themselves to monitor their emotions and physical changes and seek professional help if problems arise.”